Posts under ‘Breakfast’

My mom, Noni, has been my inspiration in the kitchen for as long as I can remember. From her famous Fried Spaghetti to her unbeatable Baby Back Ribs, Noni is known for her killer cuisine. So while I’m more than 3,000 miles away from my mom today, I’m sending her all of my love and [...]

One day. Three bakeries. Five miles. Nine doughnuts. Welcome to The 2010 Just a Taste Doughnuthon.
I know what you’re thinking, “This girl needs to get a life.” But I’ve lived in New York City for almost two years now, and I still have yet to find a jaw-dropping, fancily frosted, circuitous ‘nut-o-perfection that leaves an [...]

I wish I could say after my fifth attempt at homemade donuts that I had found the holy grail of glaze. But six quarts of oil, three types of flour and four recipes later and I’m still out of luck. So I’ve shelved my attempts (and my pride) and opted for a concept, rather than [...]

Toasted bran. Pureed dates. Whole wheat flour. Probably tastes like cardboard, right? Think again! This recipe has actually accomplished the often sought after yet rarely achieved combination of healthy and delicious.
My mom, Noni, adapted this recipe from a pastry served at La Brea Bakery, using pureed dates in place of raisins. But don’t let the [...]

I get a bit nervous when it comes to “lightening up” recipes since I’ve had both successes and (massive) failures in doing so. Most memorably, there was the time I substituted in whole wheat flour for all-purpose when I was making doughnut holes. The result? An all-too enlightening discovery that doughnut batter can actually take on the [...]

A well-flavored quiche brings new meaning to eggs for breakfast. I’ve put a twist on my BLT lunchtime favorite by using crisp bacon, leafy spinach and flavor-packed sundried tomatoes. The key is to use the sundried tomatoes that come completely dried in a package, rather than soaked in oil. The excess oil will add unwanted [...]

Popovers are a great light substitute to heavy breakfast breads like bagels and muffins. The egg-based pastry is light and fluffy in texture and buttery in taste. They are best served warm from the oven and topped with fruity condiments like this whipped strawberry butter. You can substitute any type of fruit, such as orange [...]

This recipe is designed to distract the frozen taste buds of anyone who is still (un)fortunate enough to be enjoying the frigid cold of winter. So open wide and take a bite out of a warmer climate by tasting the sweet pineapple, toasted coconut and salty crunch of these macadamia nut granola bars. And while [...]

I worked as a hostess and busser at a restaurant in La Jolla, CA, called The Cottage while I was in high school. It was the closest I’d ever come to working in a real commercial kitchen, and it was also home to daily dozens of the freshest, most delicious breakfast breads. This Blueberry Bell [...]

I met Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa during her cookbook signing in Manhattan a few weeks ago. As a star on the Food Network, Ina is just as friendly and inviting in person as she appears on her show. She has always been one of my culinary idols because of her casual style of cooking [...]